Who: Steve Rogers (616), Caroline Forbes What: Steve comes across Caroline in need of blood and lends a hand Where: The Forest When: Night Rating: Probably low, but PG at least for feeding? Status: Closed, ongoing
The itch had been set beneath Steve's skin. After all the past decades it was engrained in there, an instinct bred from habit to be on alert that flared up at possible provocation. The risks brought into the town of late had been more than enough to set off Steve's protective wariness, and that meant not leaving things be at just the satchel swap with Deadpool. It was good that it was away from the man, but there were plenty of loose ends, too many to leave Steve feeling settled. Couple in the fact that friends both new and old right now were going through an assortment of personal issues and Steve did what he always did in those situations. He did his best to be there for them, and give them a safe space to work out their issues. Which meant he still planned on making routine sweeps of the town. Perhaps it was overkill, but he'd rather err on the side of caution. Doing something would at least be better than nothing in this case, and Steve was one to see the positive in that. Focus on what could be done rather than simply fretting over what might not get done.
He didn't wear the uniform for these nighttime strolls, not here in Storybrooke. Not that he minded standing out, sometimes that was what was needed, but standing out wasn't the goal right now. Simple jeans and a t-shirt sufficed, and he kept his hands loose at his side as he purposely strode past the street of shops and down the winding path that led into the forest. It truly was pretty here, in a quaint way that he had seen few other places. Steve had been in small towns before but never for so long at a time, and never with this little amount of trouble. Even with everything that had transpired, it was still less hectic here. He'd adapted to it, but it still felt strange at times.
His steps fell near silent on the ground despite his size, a trick he'd picked up during the war when silence and stealth could mean a life saved. That, too, was habit by now. Eyes glancing between the trees, he heard a noise not far away. Steve didn't immediately tense; after all, plenty of people used the forest for various and entirely innocuous things. The people here he'd met so far were good people, and Steve was the last person not to give someone a chance or twenty. Keeping his voice at an even, friendly level he inquired, "Hello? Are you all right?" as he approached the figure.